Abandoned in place
Partial pool removal in Elk Grove, CA
[REWRITE. Open on the rule. Draft: Elk Grove asks one question before it decides how a pool can come out: will anything ever be built on that spot, or within 5 feet of it? If the answer is no, the city allows the pool to be abandoned in place instead of removed completely.]
What the city requires
For a pool with no building planned over or within 5 feet of it, Elk Grove’s policy lists these steps:
- Obtain a demolition permit. This needs a plot plan showing the pool’s exact location, with dimensions to property lines and buildings.
- Remove the bond beam, gunite and all improvements to a minimum depth of 18 inches. Remove pool equipment, piping, rubble and debris from the site.
- Cap all drains.
- Cut two holes in the bottom of the pool, one in the deep end and one in the shallow end. Each hole is a minimum of 3 feet by 3 feet, and the holes are inspected before the pool is filled.
- Fill the pool with sandy soil, compacting in 6-inch layers with proper moisture and compaction effort. No soil engineer is required. The city inspects, and the inspector is notified of the fill operation.
Source: City of Elk Grove, Policy and Procedure No. B-26-41.
The trade-off: a building restriction
What the policy says: a building restriction is placed on the property. No construction is allowed in the pool area or within 5 feet of the pool unless the pool is re-abandoned under the city’s full-removal standard. [VERIFY this sentence against the policy’s exact wording before launch.]
Same city policy, last item under “Abandoned In Place.”
[REWRITE in your own words: why this matters. Because less is removed and no soil engineer is needed for the fill, this track is often the lighter-weight option, and an installer’s quote will show the real difference. The restriction stays with the property.]
Who this fits
- Homeowners who want the pool gone and plan to keep the space as lawn, garden or open yard
- Anyone certain that nothing will be built over or within 5 feet of the pool area
If there is a real chance of a future addition, ADU or other structure there, read about full pool removal before deciding.
Full or partial removal? A quick check
This is not a permit decision. Elk Grove’s Building Division and the installer determine what applies to your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two holes in the pool floor for?
The city requires one in the deep end and one in the shallow end, each at least 3 feet by 3 feet, and inspects them before the pool is filled. The policy does not state the purpose, so [ADD A SOURCED EXPLANATION or leave this as the requirement only].
Does the city inspect the fill?
Yes. The policy says the fill is inspected by the city and that the inspector must be notified of the fill operation.
Do I need a soil engineer for a partial removal?
Not under Elk Grove’s abandon-in-place track. The policy says no soil engineer is required for the fill. Full removal is different; see the backfill and compaction page.
Can I build on the spot later?
The building restriction bars construction in the pool area or within 5 feet of it unless the pool is re-abandoned under the city’s full-removal standard. [VERIFY wording.]
What does the permit application need?
A plot plan showing the pool’s exact location, with dimensions to property lines and buildings. See the permits page for the wider permit steps.
How deep does the removal go?
The bond beam, gunite and all improvements come out to a minimum depth of 18 inches, along with equipment, piping, rubble and debris.
This site connects homeowners with independent local installers.